Methods and Systems for Video Streaming

ABSTRACT

An electronic system that executes video streaming includes a video sender. The video sender converts video data into plural layers of bitstream packets with varied priorities for transmission. A bitstream packet with a lower layer of the plural layers of bitstream packets has a higher priority when being transmitted to a video receiver.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to video processing, and more particularlyto methods and systems that execute video streaming.

BACKGROUND

Streaming video or streaming media is video or media that is constantlyreceived by and presented to an end-user or client while being deliveredby a provider. Video data can be encoded and transmitted over theInternet. Rather than having to wait for an entire file being downloadedfor viewing, an electronic device can regenerate the video images andaudio signal by accessing the data stream while they are beingtransmitted. Streaming technology is particularly useful inteleconferences, sporting events, radio broadcasts, televisionbroadcasts, and the like.

New methods and systems that assist in advancing technological needs andindustrial applications in video processing such as video streaming aredesirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One example embodiment is an electronic or computer system that executesvideo streaming. The system comprises a video sender that converts videodata into plural layers of bitstream packets with varied priorities fortransmission. A bitstream packet with a lower layer of the plural layersof bitstream packets has a higher priority when being transmitted to avideo receiver.

Other example embodiments are discussed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system that executes video streaming in accordancewith an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a video sender in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a video receiver in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a network adapter of a video sender in accordancewith an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an adaptive coding method in accordance with anexample embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates an adaptive encoding scheme in accordance with anexample embodiment.

FIG. 7A illustrates an adaptive decoding scheme in accordance with anexample embodiment.

FIG. 7B illustrates an adaptive decoding scheme in accordance withanother example embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates an electronic or computer system incorporatingadaptive communication devices that executes video streaming inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a graph illustrating how two adaptive communication devicescommunicate for packet transmission in accordance with an exampleembodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrate an apparatus that executes video streaming inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrate a receiving sub-system of an adaptive communicationdevice in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 12 shows a graph illustrating distributing low-level packets overmultiple channels in accordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates a method that executes video streaming in accordancewith an example embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a method that executes video streaming in accordancewith another example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments relate to new methods and systems that execute videostreaming in unconventional ways to improve performance for videoprocessing in the field of video-related technologies and applications.

Video streaming, especially real-time video streaming over networks,requires low delays or latency, high video quality, and highreliability. One significant obstacle for good performance isfluctuating operating conditions of physical channels. When networkbandwidth suddenly drops or there are high packet error rates (PER), itis desirable that a video streaming system adapts to packet loss andreduces data rate. Meanwhile, degradation of video quality is expectedto be less noticeable and no compression artifacts should exist. Thevideo playback is expected to be smooth without stuttering. Real-timevideo streaming requires more accurate video bitrate control and errorresilience to enable low latency and visual lossless quality underfluctuation or change of channel conditions.

Conventional video streaming schemes are problematic in various aspects.For example, one flaw for many conventional schemes is that they do nottake into account of real-time requirements of network streaming andthus have error propagation issue due to packet loss. Conventionalschemes are insufficient to conceal errors without leaving some visualartifacts. As another example flaw, conventional schemes cannoteffectively adapt to continuous changes of usable data rates ofcommunication channels, and thus are unable to meet requirements (suchas latency, reliability, etc.) for applications like game streaming andvideo conferencing. Furthermore, conventional schemes are unsatisfactoryin robustness required for video streaming due to insufficientprotection of data packets.

Example embodiments solve one or more of the above technical problemsassociated with conventional schemes for video streaming. Exampleembodiments provide technical solutions in new methods and systems thatimprove performance for video streaming in various aspects. Exampleembodiments achieve improved performance, such as improved latency,reliability, robustness, and picture quality, in executing videostreaming by providing new technical solutions that operate inunconventional ways to contribute to video-related technology.

Example embodiments include a video streaming system that converts rawvideo or video data into plural layers of bitstream packets fortransmission. Different policies are adopted for different layers ofvideo packets regarding packet scheduling, modulation, packet lengthselection, and the like. Example system performs unequal video streamingby sending packets of more significant layers with more reliable methodsand sending packets of less significant layers with higher data ratemethods. Each layer of bitstream has different impact on the streamedvideo. For example, an example electronic system improves reliabilityand picture quality by guaranteeing transmission of lowest layer that isnecessary for video stream to be decoded and has greatest impact onpicture quality, and meanwhile transmitting as many higher layer packetsas possible.

One or more example embodiments improve reliability and robustness withacknowledgement packets that indicate packet reception status such thattransmission errors are adapted and error resilience is improved. As anexample, example embodiments resend more significant video packets withhigher priority when detecting transmission failure, and discard a videopacket when the video packet is positively acknowledged or becomeoutdated.

Example embodiments include one or more adaptive communication devicesthat are incorporated and employed to improve execution of videostreaming by using channels of higher reliability to send packets ofhigher significance and using channels of higher data rate to sendpackets of lower significance. As an example, an adaptive communicationdevice includes at least one network interface to provide at least onecommunication channel. After identifying service requirements of a videopacket to be transmitted, the adaptive communication device determineshow to convert a video packet to at least one low-level packet andselects one or multiple best channels for transmission. The low-levelpacket can be received, for example, by another adaptive communicationdevice over one or multiple channels to regenerate original videopackets.

One or more example embodiments employ error-resilient encoding anddecoding methods respectively to perform block-level adaptive encodingand decoding of video frames. In some of these examples, depending onthe reception status of bitstream packets, a video receiver adaptivelydetermines whether to use higher layer bitstream packets to decode eachpicture blocks. A video receiver sends back acknowledgement packets tothe video sender to notify the reception of each bitstream packet. Anadaptive video encoder of the video sender estimates the errorpropagation observed by the video receiver based on the most updateacknowledge information. The video sender determines the reference framereconstruction based on estimated decoding error flags, therebyeliminating discrepancy between reference frames of the adaptive videoencoder and the decoded frames of an adaptive video decoder of the videoreceiver and improving performance such as reliability, robustness, andpicture quality accordingly.

One or more example embodiments reduces latency by providingunconventional schemes to facilitate synchronization. As an example, thevideo receiver controls timing of its vertical synchronization (vsync)signal of a video output interface based on the estimated vsync timingof a source video input interface, thereby reducing display latency dueto asynchronous nature of the two clocks of the video input and outputinterfaces.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 that executes video streaming inaccordance with an example embodiment.

As illustrated, the system 100 includes a video sender 110 thatcommunicates with a video receiver 150 via one or more networks. Thesystem 100 executes video streaming with improved performance byovercoming one or more flaws of conventional schemes.

By way of example, the video sender 110 converts or transforms videodata into plural layers of bitstream packets with varied priority fortransmission such that a bitstream packet being a lower layer of theplural layers of bitstream packets has higher priority when beingtransmitted to the video receiver 150.

By way of example, the video sender 110 enables video streaming withhigh reliability and low latency by executing unequal video streaming.By “unequal”, it means different layers of bitstream packets areprioritized and treated differently for transmission. For illustrativepurpose, the video sender 110 generates different types of bitstreampackets or video packets of different significance and puts moreemphasis on sending more important video packets while leveragingremaining bandwidth to send less important video packets with lowerpriorities. When a transmission error is detected (e.g., when a videopacket is not successfully received by the video receiver 150), thevideo sender 110 resends the more important video packets with a higherpriority. Various communication protocols can be used to govern data orpacket transmission. As an example, a connection oriented protocol, suchas Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), is used.

In an example embodiment, the video sender 110 is connected to a videosource device such as a video camera and receives video data or rawvideo via an interface, such as a raw video output interface. By “rawvideo”, it means the video data that is captured, stored, or output by avideo source device before being further processed (such as beingcompressed). The raw video, for example, can be in YUV or RGB (Red,Green, Blue) format. The raw video is processed (such as compressed orencoded) before being transmitting to the video receiver 150 fordecoding and displaying. The video sender 110 encodes the video datainto compressed or encoded video bitstreams with plural layers that arefurther converted into plural layers of bitstream packets fortransmission via one or more wired or wireless networks.

As an example, the video sender 110 and the video source device are twoseparate devices, such as a standalone video transmission box and aBluRay player where the video transmission box is specifically designed.As another example, the video sender 110 and the video source device areintegrated as a single device implementing both functions, such as alaptop with integrated video sender module that is specially designed.

In an example embodiment, the video receiver 150 is connected to a sinkdisplay device such as a television (TV). The video receiver 150 decodesbitstream packets as received and sends the decoded video to the sinkdisplay device via an interface, such as a raw video output interface.

As an example, the video receiver 150 and the sink display device aretwo separate devices, such as a standalone video receiver box and a TVwhere the video receiver box is specifically designed. An anotherexample, the video receiver 150 and the sink display device areintegrated as a single device implementing both functions, such as anOrganic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) head-mounted display with a videoreceiver module that is specifically designed.

In an example embodiment, when video data is being transmitted from thevideo sender 110 to the video receiver 150, vertical synchronization(vsync) timing between the video sender 110 and the video receiver 150is synchronized through exchange of vsync packets, thereby reducinglatency and improving performance for video streaming.

FIG. 2 illustrates a video sender 210 in accordance with an exampleembodiment. As illustrated, the video sender 210 includes an adaptivevideo encoder 212, a network adapter 214, and a transmission (TX)synchronizer 216.

By way of example, the adaptive video encoder 212 encodes video datainto plural layers of video bitstreams. The network adapter 214 convertsthe plural layers of video bitstreams received from the adaptive videoencoder 212 into plural layers of bitstream packets with variedpriorities for transmission, exchanges network management packets with avideo receiver to estimates usable network bandwidth, and determinesmultiple encoding bit rates for the plural layers of video bitstreams ofthe adaptive video encoder 212. The TX synchronizer 216 records verticalsynchronization (vsync) time of raw video input and transmits the vsynctime to the video receiver via a vsync packet.

In an example embodiment, the adaptive video encoder 212 receives rawvideo or video data 221 from a video source device and then compressesthe video data 221 to generate multiple or plural layers of videobitstreams (also called multi-layer bitstreams) using one or moreencoding algorithms such as Scalable Video Coding (SVC). For example,the multiple layers of video bitstreams include a base layer as thelowest layer and one or more enhancement layers as higher layers. Thebase layer is necessary for video bitstreams to be decoded and hasgreatest impact on video stream or picture quality. The enhancementlayers are applied to improve stream quality. By way of example, fortransmission purpose, a base-layer bitstream is encoded into abase-layer bitstream packet, and an enhancement-layer bitstream isencoded into an enhancement-layer bitstream packet. Lower-layerbitstream packet has a higher impact on picture quality and thus isassigned higher priority for transmission.

In one example embodiment, the adaptive video encoder 212 forwardsplural layers of video bitstreams 222 (e.g., base-layer bitstreamsand/or enhancement-layer bitstreams) to the network adapter 214 forfurther processing. In another example embodiment, the adaptive videoencoder 212 receives data 223 (e.g., acknowledgement packets, bitrateestimation information, etc.) from a network via the network adapter214. As an example, an acknowledgement packet can be a positiveacknowledgement or a negative acknowledgement. When a positiveacknowledgement is received (i.e., positively acknowledged), it isindicated that a bitstream packet is correctly received by the videoreceiver. When a negative acknowledgement is received (i.e., negativelyacknowledged), it is indicated that a bitstream packet is not receivedby the video receiver. In some examples, no acknowledgement packet isreceived by the adaptive video encoder 212 within a predefined period.Based on positive acknowledgements, negative acknowledgements and/orlack of acknowledgement packets within timeout, the adaptive videoencoder 212 adapts to corrupted video bitstreams. As used herein, acorrupted video bitstream refers to a bitstream in which one or morebits are missing or corrupted.

By way of example, the network adapter 214 receives plural layers ofvideo bitstreams 222 from the adaptive video encoder 212 and putsbitstreams into multiple packets for transmission. For example, thenetwork adapter 214 is aware of the layer of each bitstream so that thenetwork adapter 214 adopts different policies for packet scheduling,modulation, packet length selection and discarding for packets ofdifferent layers. As such, more important bitstream packets belonging tolower layers (such as base-layer packets) have a higher probability tobe transmitted to the video receiver than the less important bitstreampackets.

In an example embodiment, the network adapter 214 receives data orfeedback 225 (e.g., acknowledgement packets, other network managementpackets, etc.) via a network and then forwards acknowledgement status tothe adaptive video encoder 212. By way of example, if a negativeacknowledgement is received or no positive acknowledgement is receivedwithin timeout, the network adapter 214 resends the more importantpacket with a high priority to improve reliability and error resilience.In another example embodiment, the network adapter 214 periodicallyperforms channel bitrate estimation and informs the adaptive videoencoder 221 of the latest bit rates that can be used.

By way of example, the TX synchronizer 216 keeps track of a timercounter indicating current sender system time of the video sender 210.For example, the counter updates at each sender system cycle such thatthe sender system cycle is determined by a crystal embedded inside thevideo sender 210. The video sender 210 periodically records the risingedge time of its vsync signal, which is the counter value reported bythe timer counter when the video sender 210 detects rising edge of vsyncsignal 226 of an video input from a video source device.

In an example embodiment, the TX synchronizer 216 periodically sends itsvsync time via vsync packets 227 to a reception (RX) synchronizer of thevideo receiver (such as the video receiver 150 with reference to FIG. 1)so that the RX synchronizer stores and updates an estimated sendersystem time that is very close to the actual sender system time. By wayof example, the TX synchronizer 216 receives the estimated receiversystem time 228 for determining whether a packet deadline is passed andthe corresponding packet become outdated.

FIG. 3 illustrates a video receiver 350 in accordance with an exampleembodiment. As illustrated, the video receiver 350 includes a networkadapter 352, an adaptive video decoder 354, and a RX synchronizer 356.

By way of example, the network adapter 352 receives plural layers ofbitstream packets from a video sender (such as the video sender 110 withreference to FIG. 1 and the video sender 210 with reference to FIG. 2)and generates an acknowledgement packet that is transmitted back to thevideo sender to indicate reception status of a bitstream packet of theplural layers of bitstream packets such that the video sender adapts totransmission errors. The adaptive video decoder 354 communicates withthe network adapter 352 and decodes the plural layers of bitstreampackets to generate decoded video data. The RX synchronizer 356exchanges one or more vsync packets with the video sender to synchronizetime between the video sender and the video receiver 350.

In an example embodiment, before video decoding starts, the RXsynchronizer 356 exchanges vsync packets 365 with an adaptive videosender of the video sender to synchronize the estimated sender systemtime with the sender system time. For example, the RX synchronizer 356sends its local time (e.g., receiver system time) to the video sender tofacilitate receiver time or receiver system time estimation by the videosender. By way of example, the RX synchronizer 356 continuously adjuststhe timing of vsync signals 366 in order to keep the latency between thevsync signal of the sink display device and the vsync signal of a videosource device small and bounded.

By way of example, the network adapter 352 receives bitstream packets361 (e.g., base-layer bitstream packets and enhancement-layer bitstreampackets) from the video sender and generates positive or negativeacknowledgement packets based on the received sequence numbers ofbitstream packets. The network adapter 352 sends back feedback such asthe acknowledgment packets 362 with a robust and low-latency method,such as sub-GHz Industrial Scientific Medical Band (ISM) band. Based onbitstream packet reception status, the adaptive video decoder 354adaptively performs decoding for the encoded video data (such as videodata of each block of a video frame) and outputs the decoded ordecompressed video 364 for displaying.

FIG. 4 illustrates a network adapter 414 of a video sender in accordancewith an example embodiment.

As shown, the network adapter 414 includes a packet manager 415 and anetwork interface 416. As one example advantage, the network adapter 414contributes to performance improvement such as improved reliability andvideo or picture quality by minimizing packet error rate andprioritizing transmission of bitstream packets by supporting unequalstreaming in which more important packets are given higher priority fortransmission.

By way of example, the packet manager 415 receives plural layers ofvideo bitstreams output by an adaptive video encoder (such as theadaptive video encoder 212 with reference to FIG. 2), generates plurallayers of bitstream packets from the plural layers of video bitstreams,and informs the adaptive video encoder to adapt to transmission errorsbased on acknowledgement packets received from the video receiver. Thenetwork interface 416 transmits the plural layers of bitstream packetswith varied priorities to a video receiver over a network. By way ofexample, the plural layers of bitstream packets are prioritized fortransmission such that a bitstream packet being a lower layer of theplural layers of bitstream packets has higher priority when beingtransmitted to a video receiver.

One or more example embodiments include at least three types of dataflow relating to the packet manager 415 illustrated as follows:

1. The packet manager 415 receives plural layers of video bitstreams(e.g., base-layer video streams 431, and enhancement-layer videobitstreams 432) from an adaptive video encoder, generates bitstreampackets of different layers, and performs unequal streaming to sendthese packets 433 (e.g., base-layer bitstream packets and/orenhancement-layer bitstream packets) to a network via the networkinterface 416.

2. The packet manager 415 informs the adaptive video encoder to adapt totransmission errors based on the received acknowledgement packets 436and 439.

3. The packet manager 415 exchanges network management packets 434 and435 with a video receiver via the network interface 416 to estimateusable network bandwidth, and then determines encoding bit rates basedon the estimated usable network bandwidth and informs the adaptive videoencoder of these encoding bit rates (e.g., base-layer encoding bit rates437, and enhancement-layer encoding bit rates 438).

In an example embodiment, the packet manager 415 generates bitstreampackets or video packets from incoming bitstreams of different layers(e.g., plural layers of video bitstreams output by an adaptive videoencoder). As an example, the incoming bitstreams include base-layerbitstreams and enhancement-layer bitstreams whose layer is higher thanthat of the base-layer bitstreams. The base-layer bitstreams have alower data rate but loss of base-layer bitstream packets (or simplycalled base-layer packets) has a much higher impact on picture quality.It is thus affordable to use more robust transmission methods to sendthese base-layer packets even though the transmission efficiency iscompromised in some examples. By reducing packet error rate ofbase-layer packets, probability of correct transmission of base-layerpackets increases, thereby increasing reliability. The enhancement-layerbitstreams have a much higher data rate but loss of theseenhancement-layer bitstream packets (or simply called enhancement-layerpackets) has a smaller impact on picture quality. Therefore, the higherthe transmission layer is, the packet generation methods with higherdata rate and higher transmission efficiency are used, even though therobustness is compromised in some examples.

In an example embodiments, more robust modulation schemes, longerforward error correction code, and shorter packet length are applied tolower layer of the plural layers of bitstream packets. The lower layeris also assigned a Quality of Service (QoS) tag such that the lowerlayer gets better network service.

Another example embodiment includes the following scheme for the packetmanager 415 to apply various degrees of robustness, data rate andtransmission efficiency for bitstream packets of different layers:

1. The packet manager 415 provides different modulation methods withdifferent levels of robustness and data rates, such as guard interval,Binary Phase-Shift Keying (BPSK), Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK)and 64-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), etc. The lower the videolayer of a packet is, the more robust modulation method is used by thepacket manager 415.

2. The packet manager 415 adds forward error correction (FEC) code ofdifferent lengths to enable a video receiver to correct bit error withFEC codes. The lower the video layer of a packet is, the longer FEC codeis used by the packet manager 415.

3. A packet is corrupted if one or more bits in the packet is missing orcorrupted. The packet error rate increases with packet length.Meanwhile, shorter packet length has higher percentage of overhead dueto the fixed-length packet header and so the transmission efficiency isreduced. Therefore, the lower the video layer of a packet is, theshorter video packet length is chosen by the packet manager 415.

4. Quality of Service (QoS): The more important video packets areassigned a QoS tag to get better network service such as lower errorrates, higher throughput, lower delay, lower jitter, etc.

Example embodiments further include packet scheduling that supportsunequal streaming by prioritizing transmission of more important videoor bitstream packets. When detecting a transmission failure withacknowledgement packets, the video sender (e.g., video senders 110 and210) resends more important packets with higher priorities. By way ofexample, the generated video packets is first stored in one or morepacket buffers to obtain buffered video packets (or called bufferedbitstream packets, or buffered packets). The packet manager 415 groupsthe buffered packets into multiple queues such that the bitstreampackets of same video layer are put in a same queue. For illustrativelypurpose, each video packet is assigned a display deadline.

By way of example, a buffered packet is eligible to be scheduled fortransmission or retransmission if either one of the following is true (abuffered packet that is eligible to be scheduled is also called aneligible buffered bitstream packet, or eligible buffered packet, oreligible packet):

1. The network interface 416 has not selected the buffered packet fortransmission yet;

2. The network interface 416 has selected the buffered packet fortransmission or retransmission, but the network interface 416 hasreceived a negative acknowledgement packet indicating that the videoreceiver has not received the buffered packet; and

3. The network interface 416 has selected the buffered packet fortransmission or retransmission, but the network interface 416 still hasnot received a positive acknowledgement from the video receiver after apredefined or user-defined timeout.

In an example embodiment, the packet manager 415 employs a two-tieredscheduling method to determine which video packet or packet to be sent.The packet manager 415 scans from a packet queue or queue associatedwith the lowest video layer (e.g., a base layer) to a packet queue orqueue associated with the highest video layer (e.g., a highestenhancement layer). The first scanned queue that has at least oneeligible packet is selected for further consideration. As such, thelower a video layer is, the higher scheduling priority the video layerhas. Among the eligible packets in a selected queue, the packet manager415 further selects a packet with the earliest transmission deadline fortransmission.

In an example embodiment, when a video packet cannot be sent or when thevideo packet is sent but is not acknowledged after the transmissiondeadline, the video packet becomes useless due to real-time requirementof video streaming. By way of example, it is defined that if a videopacket of a layer L is not successfully transmitted to a video receiverbefore the display deadline associated with the video packet, it willcause an error in the layer-L decoding. In this case, the video packetthat is not delivered is considered to be outdated, which indicates thatthe video packet can be discarded since it is not useful for decoding.By way of example, the display deadline of a video packet is roughlyequivalent to the transmission deadline of the video packet since thevideo packet is expected to be transmitted before the display deadlineto ensure good video quality or picture quality. The packet manager of avideo sender estimates the receiver system time by exchanging networkmanagement packets with the video receiver. When determining whether avideo packet is outdated, the packet manager checks whether theestimated receiver system time has passed the display deadlineassociated with a video packet. If so, the video packet is discarded. Inan example, if a video packet is positively acknowledged, the videopacket is discarded. In another example, a video packet is removed froma queue if the video packet is outdated or positively acknowledged.

In an example embodiment, the packet manager of a video senderdetermines usable network bandwidth for transmitting plural layers ofbitstream packets by exchanging network management packets with thevideo receiver. As an example, the usable network bandwidth is a minimumnetwork bandwidth. As another example, the usable network bandwidth isan average network bandwidth. In an example, on basis of the usablenetwork bandwidth, the packet manager determines multiple encoding bitrates for plural layer bitstreams of an adaptive video encoder of thevideo sender such that at least one of following conditions (1) and (2)are satisfied: (1) base-layer bit rates are smaller than the minimumnetwork bandwidth; and (2) total encoding bit rates are smaller than theaverage network bandwidth. As such, reliability and latency areimproved.

By way of example, the packet manager continuously estimates effectivelyusable network bandwidths (i.e. bit rates that can be used to sendvideo) by monitoring the network status and exchanging managementpackets with a video receiver to collect channel status statistics, suchas the inter-packet latencies, channel signal strengths, bit errorrates, and network propagation latencies, etc. For example, the packetmanager is able to estimate the worst-case minimum network bandwidth andthe expected average network bandwidth with a much higher confidence:

1. the expected average network bandwidth, N_(avg)

2. the expected minimum bandwidth, N_(min), i.e. the network bandwidththat can be provided with a high confidence level, say 99.999%probability, where N_(min)<N_(avg). By way of example, when the videosender finds the network becomes more unstable due to observation ofsome abnormal conditions like weaker signal strength or higher packeterror rate, estimation of N_(min) is adjusted to be more conservative tomaintain a higher confidence level.

In an example embodiment, based on N_(min) and N_(avg), the packetmanager informs an adaptive video encoder about allowed bit rates fordifferent video layers. Latencies of bitstream packets depend on trafficloading, which is in turn closely related to encoding bit rates andeffective network bandwidth. The video sender ensures that the encodingbit rates is smaller than the effective network bandwidth to keep thelatency small or minimal. The video sender has relatively little controlover channel capacity. One important parameter that can control thelatency is encoding bit rates. Upon estimating N_(avg) and N_(min), thepacket manager determines the encoding bit rates for different layers ofbitstreams. By way of example, to guarantee base-layer bitstreamdelivery, bit rate for the base-layer bitstream is expected to besmaller than N_(min). Therefore, even if the network bandwidth suddenlydrops, the video sender can at least use the minimum bandwidth N_(min)to send the base-layer bitstream to guarantee base-layer packet deliveryunder the worst-case condition. If bit rate of the base-layer bitstreamis not limited below N_(min), even unequal streaming cannot prevent thebase-layer bitstream from overloading the network channel andcompromising the streaming performance.

In an example, the enhancement-layer bit rates are limited below(N_(avg)−N_(min)) so that the remaining bandwidth is used to enhancepicture quality as much as possible. In an example, when the bandwidthdrops below N_(avg), some enhancement layer packets have to be droppedsince the instantaneous encoding bit rate is larger than the expectedbandwidth. The impact of dropping enhancement layer packets isrelatively insignificant. Upon determining the target bit rates ofdifferent layers, the packet manager sends the target bit rates to anadaptive video encoder to choose encoding parameters used by theadaptive video encoder. Based on the target bit rates and raw videoinput, the adaptive video encoder chooses suitable encoding parametersfor different layers such that the encoded bit rate of each layer issmaller than the allowed encoding rates of each layer. In some examples,as the estimation of N_(avg) and N_(min) constantly changes over time,the packet manager adjusts the encoding bit rates of different layersaccordingly.

For many conventional schemes, a decoder has to receive all videopackets of an encoded video bitstream in order to decode the videocorrectly. Due to low latency constraint for these schemes, a sender isunable to resend the lost or corrupted packets on time and so thereceiver has to decode a frame with an incomplete or a corruptedbitstream, which is not robust and reduces video quality.

One or more example embodiments solve these technical problems ofconventional schemes by providing technical solutions in which adaptivecoding decisions are made based on packet reception status. By way ofexample, an adaptive video encoder and an adaptive video decoder employmulti-layer encoding and decoding algorithm respectively. Uncompressedraw video is transformed into multiple layers of video bitstreams thatare further converted into plural layers of bitstream packet withpriority for transmission.

In an example embodiment, an adaptive video decoder at a video receiveradaptively decodes each pixel block of a video frame depending onwhether an enhancement layer block segment is received. The moreenhancement layer packets are received, the higher the picture qualityis. By way of example, the video receiver constantly reports packetreception status to the video sender. Based on the most updatedreception error as acknowledged, the adaptive video encoder estimatesdecoding error propagation across each slice of enhancement layers.Therefore, the adaptive video encoder reconstructs reference frames inthe same way as the decoder decodes the corresponding frames. Even withpacket reception errors, the adaptive video encoder references the samepixel blocks as the adaptive video decoder does when performinginter-frame prediction.

In an example embodiment, it is defined that each frame consists ofmultiple blocks of pixels. A block bitstream segment is encoded bitsthat are required to render a pixel block of a L^(th)-layer bitstream.Suppose B_(f,b,L) is the block bitstream segment required to decode theL^(th)-layer pixel-related data of the b^(th) block of the i^(th) frame.Depending on the coding methods, the L^(th)-layer pixel-related data canbe the L^(th) layer residuals after performing motion compensation ofinter-predicted blocks, the L^(th) layer residual after performing intraprediction of i-blocks or other proper information. A complete blocksegment can be carried in one packet or it can be divided into multiplepartial segments and carried by multiple packets. The video packetcontains additional information indicating which layers, which blocksand which frame that each complete or partial block segments isassociated with.

Upon receiving bitstream packets, the adaptive video decoder checkswhich block segments are received and sets each corresponding blocksegment reception flag to ‘1’ if all bits of the block segment arereceived and ‘0’ otherwise. The video receiver constantly acknowledgesthe packet reception status to the video sender. The adaptive videoencoder sets the acknowledgement flag of each block segment to ‘1’ ifthe video receiver acknowledges that all bits of the block segment arereceived and ‘0’ otherwise.

By way of example, based on the reception flags, the video receiverdetermines the decoding error flag of each block as follows. Supposer_(f,b,L) is a reception flag that indicates whether B_(f,b,L) isreceived correctly. The decoding error flag d_(f,b,L) for B_(f,b,L) isset to ‘0’ if all of the following conditions are true. Otherwise,d_(f,b,L) is set to ‘1’:

1. r_(f,b,L)=1, i.e. B_(f,b,L) is received; and

2. the decoding error flags of all depended block segments, i.e. otherblock segments which B_(f,b,L) depends on, have to be ‘0’. Thiscondition also implies that the reception flags of all depended blocksegments are ‘1’.

By way of example, even if some packets of an enhancement layer L arelost or not received in time, the adaptive video decoder can stillrecover as many picture details as possible using other L-th layer blocksegments, which has the corresponding decoding error flags set to ‘0’.

By way of example, based on the acknowledgement flag a_(f,b,L), whichacknowledges that the reception of B_(f,b,L), the adaptive video encoderestimates error propagation at the adaptive video decoder and determinesthe estimated decoding error flag e_(f,b,L) for each block. Theestimated decoding error flag e_(f,b,L), which is estimated by theadaptive video encoder, will be set to ‘0’ if all of the followingconditions are met and set to ‘1’ otherwise:

1. a_(f,b,L)=1, i.e. B_(f,b,L) is acknowledged;

2. the estimated decoding error flags of all depended block segments,i.e. other block segments which B_(f,b,L) depends on, have to be ‘0’.This condition also implies that the acknowledgement flags of alldepended block segments are ‘1’.

FIG. 5 illustrates an adaptive coding method 500 in accordance with anexample embodiment. As an example, the method 500 can be executed by anelectronic device or computer system, such as the video sender 210 thatincludes the adaptive video encoder 212 with reference to FIG. 1. Themethod 500 improves video streaming for example by adaptively decidingwhether the enhancement-layer pixel-related data are combined withbase-layer pixel-related data for each block when reconstructingreference frames.

Block 502 states encoding video data received from a video source toobtain a reconstructed base-layer data. As an example, this is executedby an adaptive video encoder or a base-layer encoder. Block 504 statesencoding the video data to obtain a reconstructed enhancement-layerdata. As an example, this is executed by an adaptive video encoder or anenhancement-layer encoder. Block 506 states determining whether to usethe reconstructed enhancement-layer data to combine with thereconstructed base-layer data when reconstructing a reference frame. Asan example, whether to use the reconstructed enhancement-layer data whengenerating the reference frame is decided in accordance with anestimated decoding error flag.

FIG. 6 illustrates an adaptive encoding scheme 600 in accordance with anexample embodiment. The adaptive encoding scheme 600 shows how theestimated decoding error flag is integrated into an adaptive decisionwhen reconstructing a reference frame.

By way of example, an adaptive video encoder or encoder performsadaptive reference frame reconstruction based on a receiveracknowledgement. Due to the unequal streaming policy of a networkadapter, base-layer packets are guaranteed to be received butenhancement-layer packets are not. Therefore, the encoder determineswhether enhancement-layer pixel-related data are combined withbase-layer pixel-related data for each block when reconstructingreference frames.

In an example embodiment, by comparing a reference frame 618 with aninput frame or source frame 611, the motion estimation module 602 findsthe best-matching reference block in the reference frame 618. Thebase-layer encoder 608 encodes base-layer video bitstreams to generatereconstructed base layer pixels or residuals 616. The output of thebase-layer encoder 608 is used to generate base-layer bitstream packets624. In some examples, inter-coding is performed, motion vectors 613 isinput to the base-layer encoder 608. In some other examples, thebase-layer video bitstream encodes a downscaled-version of source videoframe, the base-layer pixel-related data in the intra-block pixels orinter-block residuals 612 are downscaled by a downscaling module ordownscaler 603 before inputting to the base-layer encoder 608.

The enhancement-layer encoder 606 encodes the enhancement-layerbitstream to generate reconstructed enhancement-layer pixels orresiduals 621. The output of the enhancement-layer encoder 606 is alsoused to generate enhancement-layer bitstream packets 623. In someexamples, inter-coding is performed, motion vectors are used. In someother examples, the enhancement-layer encoder 606 references thebase-layer encoding result 615 to perform inter-layer prediction.

In some examples, the base-layer bitstream encodes a downscaled-versionof source video frame, the base-layer pixel-related data (i.e.,reconstructed base layer pixels or residuals) 616 are upscaled by anupscaling module or upscaler 604 before being used for reconstructingreference frames.

In some examples, if an estimated decoding error flag of an enhancementlayer block segment is ‘0’, a decision 625 is made to combine thereconstructed enhancement-layer data 621 with the reconstructedbase-layer data 616 at the digital combiner 622 when reconstructing ablock of a reference frame to obtain a reconstructed frame 619.Otherwise, only the reconstructed base-layer data 616 are used forreconstructing the reference frame. The reconstructed frame 619 isstored in the frame store 610. In some examples, an intra-/inter-blockdecision 617 is made as to whether motion compensated pixels 614 aresent to the digital combiner 622 for generating the reconstructed frame619.

FIG. 7A illustrates an adaptive decoding scheme 700 in accordance withan example embodiment. As an example, the adaptive decoding scheme 700can be executed by an electronic device or computer system, such as theadaptive video decoder 354 with reference to FIG. 3.

By way of example, block 770 states decoding base-layer video bitstreamsto obtain decoded base-layer data. As an example, this is executed by anadaptive video decoder or a base-layer decoder. Block 780 statesdecoding enhancement-layer video bitstreams to obtain decodedenhancement-layer data. As an example, this is executed by an adaptivevideo decoder or an enhancement-layer decoder. Block 790 statesdetermining whether to use the decoded enhancement-layer data to combinewith the decoded base-layer data when generating a decoded frame. As anexample, whether to use the decoded enhancement-layer data whengenerating the decoded frame is decided in accordance with a decodingerror flag.

FIG. 7B illustrates an adaptive decoding scheme 750 in accordance withanother example embodiment. For illustrative purpose, the adaptivedecoding scheme 750 shows how a decoding error flag is integrated into adecoding process to make adaptive coding decisions.

As illustrated in FIG. 7B, a base-layer decoder 702 receives base-layerbitstream packets 711 and generates decoded base-layer data, such asbase-layer pixels or residuals 714. In some examples, error concealingis performed at the base-layer decoder 702 when a base-layer bitstreampacket is lost. The schemes 750 checks a decoding error flag of anenhancement-layer block segment. If the decoding error flag is ‘0’, anenhancement-layer decoder 704 receives enhancement-layer bitstreampackets 712 and generates decoded enhancement-layer data, such asenhancement-layer pixels or residuals 717. In some examples, errorconcealing is performed at the enhancement-layer decoder 704 when anenhancement-layer bitstream packet is lost.

By way of example, the motion compensation module 708 receives motionvectors 716 embedded in the bitstream and performs motion compensationwith another block in a reference frame to predict pixels. In someexamples, the base-layer video bitstream encodes a downscaled-version ofsource video frame. The base-layer residuals 714 are upscaled by anupscaling module or upscaler 706 and the output data 719 goes to adigital combiner 720. When upscaling process is unnecessary, thebase-layer residuals 714 goes to the digital combiner 720 directly.

By way of example, when the decoding error flag of an enhancement-layerblock segment is ‘0’, a decision 718 is made that the decodedenhancement-layer data (e.g., enhancement-layer pixels or residuals 717)and the decoded base-layer data (e.g., base-layer pixels or residuals714 or 719) are combined at the digital combiner 720 to generate thedecoded frame 721. When the decoding error flag of an enhancement-layerblock segment is ‘1’, only the decoded base-layer data is used togenerate the decoded frame 721.

By way of example, the decoded frame 721 is stored in the frame store710. A new reference frame 722 can be sent to the motion compensationmodule 708 for performing motion compensation. As a further example,output 723 of the motion compensation module 708 is input to the digitalcombiner 720 in accordance with intra or inter block decision 715.

For conventional schemes, if a video source is directly connected with asink display via a video cable, video synchronization signals (e.g.,pixel clock, vsync and Horizontal Synchronization (hsync)), are directlytransmitted from the source device to the display device. However, incase of video streaming, the streaming system can stream compressedpixel data but not the synchronization signals. The video output clockof the source device and the video input clock of the sink display,driven by two separate crystals embedded in two separate devices, arenot synchronized. Therefore, even if the system manages to reduce thebitstream latency, the actual display latency will become as large asone frame latency over time due to even slight difference between thetwo clocks. It is also impossible for a sender to send pixel clock to areceiver over a network.

One or more example embodiments solve such technical problems byenabling the video sender or sender and the video receiver or receiverto exchange management packets with each other to ensure that differencebetween the vsync time of the source device and the vsync time of thesink display is small and bounded, where the terms vsync time refers tothe time when the vsync rising edge is detected. Before the two vsynctimes are synchronized, the TX synchronizer at the sender synchronizesits system time with the system time of RX synchronizer at the receiver.Afterwards, the TX synchronizer performs a vsync synchronizationoperation including the following two steps:

1. Continuously monitoring the vsync signal of the input video interfaceand recording the value of the system timer when it detects the vsyncrising edge.

2. Putting the timer values in a vsync packet and sending the timervalues to the receiver.

The packet manager of the sender continuously repeats the aboveoperations with some time interval between each two successiveoperations. Therefore, even if the time interval between two vsyncincreases over time, it can be corrected and minimized upon receivingthe most updated vsync packet.

An example embodiment provides a method that expedites execution ofvideo streaming with improved latency. When transmitting video data froma video sender to a video receiver, the example method synchronizesvertical synchronization (vsync) timing of a video output interface withthat of a video input interface via exchange of vsync packets betweenthe video sender and the video receiver, thereby reducing videostreaming latency.

In some examples, video output interfaces generate vsync rising edge atregular time intervals, where the interval is determined by anelectronic counter driven by a local crystal. In some other examples,the RX synchronizer determines next rising edge based on both theexpected time interval and the vsync packets. Before video streamingstarts, the video sender informs the RX synchronizer the expected timeinterval between two successive vsync rising edges, denoted as T. The RXsynchronizer initializes the time of the next vsync, denoted as V_(R),as −1, which implies the time of the next vsync is undefined yet. Ateach clock cycle of the receiver system, the receiver checks if thereceiver has received a new vsync packet, which carries the most updatedsender vsync time, denoted as V_(s). If receiving a vsync packet, thereceiver set V_(R)=V_(s)+T. Whenever the current receiver system timeequals to V_(R), the RX synchronizer will output the vsync rising edgeand updated V_(R) such that V_(R)=V_(R)+T.

One or more example embodiments include an adaptive communication devicethat possesses at least one network interface to send and receive videopackets as if only a single network interface is used.

Different network interfaces use same or different types of physicaltransceivers. For example, a network interface can be a 2.4 GHz 802.11nWireless Fidelity (WiFi), 5 GHz 802.11ac WiFi, 4G baseband, Ethernetport, HomePlug, LiFi etc. Each network interface supports at least onechannel and is configured to use one of available channels at a giventime. For example, a 2.4 GHz 802.11n WiFi interface has 11 availablechannels of different frequencies and one channel is chosen at a giventime. Each network interface continuously monitors the most updatedconditions of the selected channels, such as bit error rates, ReceivedSignal Strength Indicator (RSSI), and media access delay etc., andreports these conditions to a channel manager. If the conditionsdeteriorate too much, the channel manager instructs the networkinterface to scan other available channels and switch to another channelwith more favorable conditions for better communication performance.

Example adaptive communication device is useful for enabling highlyreliable communication (such as wireless communication) by enablingchannel diversity. The adaptive communication device enables usage ofmultiple network interfaces to establish multiple channels withdifferent characteristics. As an example, the adaptive communicationdevice has multiple wireless interfaces operating in multiple radiofrequency (RF) frequencies. When wireless communication in one frequencyis interfered at a particular time, it is likely that a video packet isstill able to be sent in another channel using a different frequency.

An example adaptive communication device connects with a host device(such as a video sender or a video receiver as stated above) to providecommunication services to the host device. The host device definesservice requirements of multiple service classes and how to map eachoutgoing packet to a service class. As used herein, an outgoing packetis a packet that is output by the host device and received by theadaptive communication device. Upon receiving an outgoing packet fromthe host device, the adaptive communication device identifies theservice class and generates at least one low-level video packet, anddynamically chooses at least one of the most suitable channels that aresetup by one or multiple network interfaces to send the low-levelpackets. Both the low-level packet generation methods and the channelselection depend on the requirements of the service class. In someexamples, the adaptive communication device informs a network interfaceabout optimal modulation parameters, channel coding parameters, Qualityof Service (QoS) setting and packet length for each low-level packet. Insome other examples, when receiving low-level packets from at least onecommunication channel, a second adaptive communication deviceregenerates original host packets (i.e., packets output by the hostdevice) and then forwards the original host packets to a host device ofthe second adaptive communication device.

FIG. 8 illustrates a computer or electronic system 800 incorporatingadaptive communication devices that executes video streaming inaccordance with an example embodiment.

As illustrated, the system 800 includes a video sender 810, a videoreceiver 850, an adaptive communication device 820 that connects withthe video sender 810, and an adaptive communication device 840 thatconnects with the video receiver 750. The adaptive communication device820 communicates with the adaptive communication device 840 over one ormore networks 830.

In an example embodiment, the video sender 810 and the video receiver850 use the adaptive communication device 820 and the adaptivecommunication device 840 respectively in lieu of standard networkinterfaces such as WiFi. Each of the adaptive communication devices 820and 840 provides at least a fast data channel and at least a robust backchannel. In another example, only one adaptive communication device,either the adaptive communication device 820 or the adaptivecommunication device 840, is used in the system 800.

By way of example, the video sender 810 and the video receiver 850define at least the following three packet service classes for unequalvideo streaming, namely,

1. Base-layer video class,

2. Enhancement-layer video class, and

3. Robust class.

By way of example, base-layer video packets are mapped to the base-layervideo class while enhancement-layer video packets are mapped to theenhancement-layer video class. The base-layer video class requirementsare high robustness and lower data rates. The enhancement-layer videoclass requirements are lowest robustness and highest data rates. Basedon the base-layer video class requirement, a packet arbiter outputs aparameter set to instruct at least one network interface to generatevideo packets with high robustness. Based on the enhancement-layer videorequirement, the packet arbiter outputs a parameter set to instruct atleast one network interface to generate packets at highest data rates.Acknowledgement and management packets are mapped to the robust classand are sent over the robust channel, which supports the highestrobustness and the lowest data rates. As an example, the following listshows the robustness requirement of each class in descending order:

1. Robust class,

2. Base-layer video class, and

3. Enhancement-layer video class.

As another example, the following list shows the data rate requirementof each class in descending order:

1. Enhancement-layer video class,

2. Base-layer video class, and

3. Robust class.

FIG. 9 shows a graph 900 illustrating how two adaptive communicationdevices communicate for packet transmission in accordance with anexample embodiment.

For purpose of description only, the two adaptive communication devicesare called sending device and receiving device respectively. By way ofexample, the sending device receives host packets or packets 910 thatinclude two host packets of service class A (shown as A₁ and A₂) and onehost packet of service class B (shown as B₁). The sending device findsthat channel 1 established on the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) interface ismost suitable to serve class B packets and so the sending deviceconverts B₁ to a low-level packet B′₁ and sends B′₁ via channel 1. Thesending device finds that channel 2 established on the 802.11acinterface is most suitable to serve class A packets and so the sendingdevice converts A₁ and A₂ to low-level packets A′₁ and A′₂ and sendsthem over channel 2. The receiving device receives these low-levelpackets over channel 1 and channel 2 for decoding to obtain the decodedor reconstructed host packets 920 that include same host packets asthose of the host packets 910.

One or more example embodiments include an apparatus that executes videostreaming with improved performance. The apparatus includes adaptivecommunication device that has a transmission sub-system. Thetransmission sub-system includes a packet arbiter, a channel manager,and at least one network transmission interface. By way of example, thechannel manager generates instructions for the packet arbiter on basisof packet service class configuration information received from a videosender and channel status statistics received from the at least onenetwork transmission interface. The packet arbiter receives plurallayers of bitstream packets from the video sender, generates at leastone low-level packet from each bitstream packet of the plural layers ofbitstream packets, and selects one or more communication channels totransmit the at least one low-level packet.

FIG. 10 illustrates an apparatus 1000 that executes video streaming inaccordance with an example embodiment.

As illustrated, the apparatus 1000 includes an adaptive communicationdevice 1001 with a transmission sub-system 1010. The transmissionsub-system 1010 includes a packet arbiter 1012, a channel manager 1014,a demultiplexer (DEMUX) 1016, and at least one network transmissioninterface Tx #1 1018-1, . . . ,Tx # n 1018-n.

By way of example, the channel manager 1014 receives packet serviceclass configuration information 1021 from a host device (such as a videosender) and channel status statistics 1022 from various networkinterfaces Tx #1 1018-1, . . . ,Tx # n 1018-n. Based on the information,the channel manager 1014 sends commands 1023 to instruct the packetarbiter 1012 as to how to process the outgoing host packet or hostpacket 1024 that is received by the packet arbiter 1012 from the hostdevice.

By way of example, the packet arbiter 1012 monitors the instantaneousconditions in multiple channels. Based on the packet service class andvarious channel conditions 1025, the packet arbiter 1012 generates atleast one low-level packets from each host packet (e.g., each bitstreampacket of the plural layers of bitstream packets). In some examples, thepacket arbiter 1012 determines a set of channel parameters for eachlow-level packet and selects one or multiple best channels to sendpackets. The channel parameters includes, but not limited to, channelmodulation methods and parameters, channel coding method and parameters,and QoS parameters, etc. The packet arbiter 1012 forwards the low-levelpackets and the parameter sets 1026 to the DEMUX 1016 that selects atleast one network transmission interfaces corresponding to the selectedchannels.

FIG. 11 illustrate a receiving sub-system 1120 of an adaptivecommunication device in accordance with an example embodiment.

As illustrated, the receiving sub-system 1120 includes a packetregenerator 1122, a MUX 1126, and at least one network receptioninterface Rx #1128-1, . . . ,Rx # n 1128-n. By way of example, the atleast one network reception interface Rx #1 1128-1, . . . ,Rx # n 1128-nreceives the at least one low-level packet from a transmissionsub-system and forwards the at least one low-level packet to the packetregenerator 1122. The packet regenerator 1122 receives one or morelow-level packets from different network interfaces via the MUX 1126 toregenerates host packets (e.g., original bitstream packet that exists inthe plural layers of bitstream packets) and forwards the regeneratedhost packets to a host device (e.g., a video receiver).

In some examples, a host packet is carried by multiple low-levelpackets, the packet regenerator 1122 wait for reception of all low-levelpackets to generate the original high-level packets (i.e., host packet).In some other examples, the packet regenerator 1122 discards aregenerated host packet when it is determined that a same copy of thehost packet is received before.

By way of example, a host device (such as a video sender, a videoreceiver, etc.) defines packet classification methods of how to identifythe service class of each host packet, as well as the servicerequirements for each service class. A packet arbiter (e.g., the packetarbiter 1012) checks packet headers using the classification methodsinstructed by a channel manager (e.g., the channel manager 1014) todetermine the service class of each outgoing host packet in real time.For example, packets with a certain port number are mapped to the videoservice class and the corresponding service requirements guarantee athroughput of 20 Mbps and a latency of 5 ms. In another example, packetswith another port number are mapped to a web service type for webbrowsing and email checking. There is no requirement on performanceguarantee but it is required to minimize power consumption andcommunication service fee. By way of example, the service requirementsincludes but is not limited to:

-   -   Average packet delays    -   Maximum packet delay    -   Sustained throughput    -   Expected packet error rate    -   Power used for packet transmission or reception    -   Network service charge    -   Security requirement: for example, the host device or host can        forbid sending credit card number over any public WiFi network.        It can require the adaptive communication device to send packets        only over mobile phone network or a trusted WiFi network.

By way of example, upon determining the service class, the packetarbiter generates low-level packet(s) and selects channel(s) to sendlow-level packet(s) in real time to optimize the performance required bythe service class. In some examples, the channel manager sends thefollowing information to the packet arbiters to support theseoperations:

1. The available modulation and coding methods at each network interfaceand corresponding bit error rate and physical data rate of eachmodulation and coding method.

2. The method of how to select at least one channel to send a packet ofa particular service class based on instantaneously channel conditions.For example, if the requirement is high reliability, the least noisychannel is selected.

3. The QoS setting or parameters of each service class.

By way of example, the packet arbiter dynamically selects at least onechannel which are most suitable channels for each packet based on theinstantaneous channel condition and the requirement of the packetservice class. When one channel is clearly much better than others, thepacket arbiter uses the best channel. In some examples, multiplesuitable channels have similar desirable conditions for a service class,the sender sends packets using multiple suitable channels to balance thetraffic loading. An example advantage of using multiple physicalchannels is to disperse the risks of packet loss. It is unlikely thatchannel conditions of different channels to deteriorate simultaneouslyand so it is most likely that only the transmission on one of thechannel will be affected at a given time, thereby increasingtransmission reliability.

One example method of using multiple channels is that the packet arbiterselects a channel among multiple suitable channels in a round robinmanner. In this example, the adaptive communication device, denoted asD1, has two WiFi interfaces and uses two non-overlapping WiFi channels Aand B respectively. There is another WiFi device D2 that uses the WiFichannel A but does not connect the same access point as D1 does. Whenthe WiFi device D2 is idle, D1 finds that both channels A and B aresuitable and so D1 distributes the packet transmission over the twochannels. If the WiFi device D2 sends data later and interferes with D1on channel A, other packets in channel B is unaffected and so the riskof losing all packets is reduced.

In an example embodiment, the adaptive communication device (e.g., thesending device with reference to FIG. 9) break down an outgoing hostpacket into multiple low-level packets, attaches a sequence number toeach low-level packet, and sends them over at least one channel that aremost suitable to meet the packet service requirement. Another adaptivecommunication device, acting as a receiving device, receives low-levelpackets from different channels and regenerates the original packetsfollowing the sequence orders and then forwards the original packets toits host.

In an example, a service class requires exceptionally low packet errorrate, and the packet arbiter duplicates multiple copies of a low-levelpacket and sends each copy of the packet over multiple channels. Eachduplicated low-level packet has the same sequence number. The receivingdevice discards the duplicated low-level packet later.

FIG. 12 shows a graph 1200 illustrating distributing low-level packetsover multiple channels in accordance with an example embodiment.

As shown, an outgoing host packet 1210 is broken down into threelow-level packets. Packet 1 is sent over channel 1, and packets 2 and 3are sent over channel 2. Then the receiving device receives the packets1220 consisting of the same three packets from the two channels.

By way of example, given the operating condition of a selected channeland the service requirements associated with a packet, the packetarbiter determines an optimum parameter set for low-level packetgeneration, namely, the packet length, the modulation scheme used by thenetwork interface and the forward error correction coding methods andthe Quality of Service (QoS) setting. There are lots of combinations ofparameter sets, each resulting in different transmission rates andpacket error rates. Some modulation schemes, like 64 QuadratureAmplitude Modulation (QAM), have higher physical transmission rates andhigher packet error rates while others, like Binary Phase-Shift Keying(BPSK), have lower physical transmission rates and lower packet errorrates. As a radio signal attenuates or get interference from other radiofrequency (RF) devices, the error rate will increase. In those worsesituations, the packet adapter requests the network interface to use amodulation method that has a lower bit error rate, even though it isless efficient. In other case, modulation schemes with higher physicalrate should be used. Longer forward error correction codes reduce thepacket error rate but also increase the transmission overhead. Longpacket lengths increase the transmission efficiency but also increasepacket error rate. Therefore, based on the current channel conditions,the packet arbiter adaptively chooses the best parameter set to optimizethe service requirement for each packet. If the optimum packet length issmaller than the original packets, the packet arbiter will break downthe original packet into multiple shorter low-level packets with theoptimum length. In some examples, in order to decide the optimalparameter set, the host device needs to define a packet parameter costfunction. Suppose there are two optimization objectives, namely thetransmission rate and the packet error rate. The cost function isdenoted as F(t, e), where t and e is an expected transmission rate andpacket error rate. Suppose T(p) is transmission rate using a parametersset p on a particular network interface while E(p) is the packet errorrate using the same parameters set p. Based on the cost function, thepacket arbiter can find the optimum parameter set p′, such that F(T(p′),E(p′)) is optimal. The packet arbiter sends both the low-level packetsand the optimum packet parameter set p′ to a network interfaceassociated with p′ to generate and send the low-level packets in thephysical medium accordingly.

By way of example, the channel conditions are defined as the informationincluding but not limited to the signal-to-noise ratio, the physicallayer (PHY) rate, the bit error rate, the transmission delay, thesustained throughput and other characteristics, etc. Some channelconditions depend on the interface types and/or interface configurationand will not change over time. For example, a communication device usingthe 900 MHz ISM band has a longer transmission range but a lowerbandwidth than a 5 GHz WiFi due to the longer wavelength. Other channelconditions, like signal-to-noise ratio and bit error rate, etc., willchange dynamically and each interface has to continuously check thechanging conditions of each channel. Different methods can be used todetermine these conditions. For example, a device with a WiFi interfacecan monitor the RSSI. Some user-level applications, like ping, can alsobe used to check the channel condition like round trip latencies.

By way of example, if the operation condition of a channel is worse thanthe minimum desirable requirements, the channel manager activelyswitches to different channels to search for a better channel. Since anetwork interface cannot change channel and performs packettransmission/reception at the same time, a network interface isunavailable for serving the host device when changing channels and thisduration can be quite long for most network interfaces. In case that theadaptive communication device has multiple network interfaces, thepacket arbiter can redirect packets to another optimal operating channelnot affected by channel switching. After channel switching, if the newsetup channel is better than existing channels, the packet arbiter willswitch to use the new channel again.

By way of example, the reliability of a channel not only depends on thepacket error rates, but also on the time required to detect packettransmission error and resend the packet. In an example, an adaptivecommunication device, including multiple network interfaces withdiversified physical properties, is combined with connection-orientedprotocol to further improve the reliability by increasing retransmissionefficiency. A receiving device using a connection oriented protocol likeTransmission Control Protocol (TCP) uses acknowledgement packets toinform the sending device to resend corrupted data packets. Theretransmission delay largely depends on how fast the sending devicereceives the acknowledgement packet. In one example, an adaptivecommunication device provides at least one high-speed channels (denotedas the fast data channel) that supports high transmission rate, and atleast one slower but more robust channel (denoted as the robust backchannel) that supports robust packet transmission with low packet errorrates. Hosts of the adaptive communication devices define at least twopacket service classes, namely the robust service class and the fastservice class. Data packets of a connection oriented protocol belong tothe fast class. The acknowledgment packets, which are sent by thereceiver to acknowledge data packet reception, belong to the robustservice class. Two adaptive communication devices, each setting up fastdata channels and robust back channels, exchange data packets andacknowledgement packets with each other via the data channels and robustchannels respectively. The service requirement of the fast service classis higher data rate relative to the robust service class. The servicerequirement of robust service is high reliability. The physical networktransceiver or interface that implements the robust channel should havephysical properties enabling robust packet transmission, like lower biterror rate, longer range or using less crowded RF frequencies, etc.

By way of example, one type of network transceiver for implementingrobust channels is sub-GHz transceiver, such as a sub-GHz ISMtransceiver or an 802.11ah device. This type of packet is suitable to betransmitted over sub-GHz channel. For example, the service requirementsof robust class is:

1. a bandwidth of at most several hundred kilobits per second

2. a low and predictable delay of ˜1 ms.

By way of example, a sub-GHz channel typically provides a bandwidth of1˜2 Mbps. Although the data rate is too low for other commonapplications like web browsing and video streaming, it is sufficient tosend the acknowledgement packets. The sub-GHz channel is more robustthan other high-speed transceiver like WiFi, which is optimized forhigher physical rate. Sub-GHz wavelength for the sub-GHz channel islonger and so it can travel a longer distance, thus enabling low packeterror even at a longer distance. As further example, network interface(such as WiFi, Orthogonal Frequency-division Multiplexing (OFDM), mobilebaseband, etc.) are suitable candidates to implement the fast datachannels.

By way of example, in some video streaming applications, like gamestreaming, drone camera video streaming and home video streaming, thevideo receiver provides a back channel to send interaction signals toenable a user to remote control the device that outputs source video.For example, the back channel of a game streaming system carries thecontrol signals from mouse, keyboard or gamepad to interact with thegame console. In drone streaming, the back channel carries signals toremotely control the drone flight operations. In a home video streamingsystem that streams set-top box video to another TV, the back channelcarries infra-red remote control signals to control the set top box. Theservice requirement of interaction packets is very similar to that ofacknowledgement packets. Both require low packet error rates but do notneed high data rates. As a result, the adaptive communication devicemaps both the acknowledgement packets and interaction packets to therobust service class and uses the robust channel to send and receivethese two types of packets. In general, the adaptive communicationdevice can assign all types of packets, which require low packet errorrates but do not need high data rates, to the robust service class.

To further increase the reliability, an example embodiment duplicatesacknowledgement and interaction packets. The receiver and the sendersend and receive these packets over the data and robust channelssimultaneously in order to further increase the probability ofsuccessful reception over either one of the channel. The video senderidentifies duplicated packet reception by sequence numbers of low-levelpackets and discards the duplicated one accordingly.

FIG. 13 illustrates a method 1300 that executes video streaming inaccordance with an example embodiment. The method 1300 executes videostreaming with improved performance such as improved reliability anderror relicense.

Block 1302 states sending plural layers of bitstream packets that aregenerated from video data and are prioritized for transmission. As anexample, the plural layers of bitstream packets include base-layerpackets and enhancement-layer packets. The base-layer packets belong tolower layers and have higher priority for transmission, which theenhancement-layer packets belong to high layers and have lower priorityfor transmission.

Block 1304 states improving error resilience for execution of videostreaming by receiving an acknowledgement to inform the video sender ofreception status of a bitstream packet. For example, when observing atransmission failure or error for a particular bitstream packet, thevideo receiver generates an acknowledgement packet to inform the videosender of the error. Base on such most updated acknowledgementinformation, the video sender estimates error propagation and takesactions accordingly, such as resending the bitstream packet to the videoreceiver such that lower layer packets have higher priority.

FIG. 14 illustrates a method 1400 that executes video streaming inaccordance with another example embodiment.

By way of example, the method 1400 can be executed by an adaptivecommunication device, such as the adaptive communication devices 820 or840 with reference to FIG. 8, or the adaptive communication devices 1001with reference to FIG. 10. For illustratively purpose only, the adaptivecommunication device includes multiple network interfaces to facilitateadaptive channeling. For example, when one network interface is sendingdata (e.g., video packet), another network interface is switching tobetter channels. After finishing the channel switching, both networkinterfaces can be used to send data.

Block 1410 states transmitting, with a first network interface of themultiple network interfaces, low-level packets generated by the adaptivecommunication device to a second device over a communication channel.For example, the low-level packets are converted by the adaptivecommunication device from video packets or bitstream packets. The seconddevice can be a receiver, such as the video receiver 350 with referenceto FIG. 3.

Block 1420 states switching, with a second network interface of themultiple network interfaces and in accordance with channel conditions,to another communication channel for transmission of the low-levelpackets. The second network interface is different from the firstnetwork interface. By way of example, the channel conditions areinformation including but not limited to the signal-to-noise ratio, thephysical layer (PHY) rate, the bit error rate, the transmission delay,the sustained throughput and other characteristics, etc. When channelconditions for the communication channel over which packets aretransmitted are undesirable, the second network interface switches toanother communication channel with better channel conditions tofacilitate packet transmission with improved reliability.

Block 1430 states transmitting, with the first network interface and thesecond network interface, the low-level packets over anothercommunication channel. For example, after completion of channelswitching, both network interfaces are used to transmit the low-levelpackets over the channel with better channel conditions.

The methods in accordance with example embodiments are provided asexamples, and examples from one method should not be construed to limitexamples from another method. Figures and other information show exampledata and example structures; other data and other database structurescan be implemented with example embodiments. Further, methods discussedwithin different figures can be added to or exchanged with methods inother figures. Further yet, specific numerical data values (such asspecific quantities, numbers, categories, etc.) or other specificinformation should be interpreted as illustrative for discussing exampleembodiments. Such specific information is not provided to limit exampleembodiments.

As used here, the terms “video packet” and “bitstream packet” are usedinterchangeably, and refer to a packet that is encoded or generated froma video bitstream or bitstream.

As used herein, a “video sender” is a device that transmits audio and/orvideo signals or data from one location to another. A “video sender”,for example, receives data from a source device (e.g., video camera) andencodes the data for transmission.

As used herein, a “video receiver” is a device that receives audioand/or video signals or data from another device (e.g., a video sender).

As used herein, a “vsync packet” is a packet that carries system timewhen the vsync rising edge is observed by the video sender.

As used herein, an “acknowledgement packet” is a network packet thatincludes information indicating whether a packet, message, or segment isreceived or not.

As used here, “system time” refers to a computer system's notion ofpassing of time. For example, system time can be measured by a systemclock that is typically implemented as a simple count of the number ofticks that have transpired since some arbitrary starting date.

As used herein, “sender system time” refers to system time of a videosender. “Receiver system time” refers to system time of a videoreceiver.

As used herein, “low-level packet” is generated with parameters thatoptimize bitrate and reliability based on the requested service class.

As used herein, “display deadline” refers to the time when some rawpixels are decoded with the packet data and should be sent to the videooutput interface.

As used herein, “packet deadline” equals to “display deadlinesubtracting the expected packet transmission latency”.

As used herein, “video quality” and “picture quality” are usedinterchangeably. “Video quality” is a characteristic of a video passedthrough a video transmission/processing system, a formal or informalmeasure of perceived video degradation (typically, compared to theoriginal video).

As used herein, “usable network bandwidth” is network bandwidth that isavailable to be used for data transmission.

1-9. (canceled)
 10. An apparatus that improves video streaming,comprising: an adaptive communication device that includes atransmission sub-system, the transmission sub-system including: a packetarbiter that receives plural layers of bitstream packets from a videosender, generates at least one low-level packet from each bitstreampacket of the plural layers of bitstream packets, and selects one ormore communication channels to transmit the at least one low-levelpacket; at least one network transmission interface that communicateswith the packet arbiter; and a channel manager that communicates withthe packet arbiter and the at least one network transmission interfaceby sending available modulation, coding methods, and corresponding biterror rate, generates instructions for the packet arbiter on basis ofpacket service class configuration information received from the videosender and channel status statistics received from the at least onenetwork transmission interface.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, whereinthe adaptive communication device further includes a receivingsub-system, the receiving sub-system communicating with the transmissionsub-system and including: at least one network reception interface thatreceives the at least one low-level packet from the transmissionsub-system; and a packet regenerator that receives the at least onelow-level packet via the at least one network reception interface,generates an original bitstream packet that exists in the plural layersof bitstream packets from the at least one low-level packet, andtransmits the original bitstream packet to a video receiver.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 10, further comprising another adaptive communicationdevice that includes at least one network interface to provide at leastone communication channel such that the another adaptive communicationdevice receives the at least one low-level packet from the adaptivecommunication device and reconstructs the low-level packet into anoriginal bitstream packet that exists in the plural layers of bitstreampackets.
 13. A method that is executed by an adaptive communicate deviceto optimize reliability and data rates of packets of different serviceclasses, wherein the adaptive communication device includes: atransmission sub-system that includes at least one network transmissioninterface, and depending on the service class of host packets andobserved channel status statistics, generates at least one low-levelpacket that optimize the data rates and reliability, and selects one ormore communication channels to transmit the at least one low-levelpacket; and a receiving sub-system that communicates with thetransmission sub-system and includes a packet regenerator and at leastone network reception interface, the at least one network receptioninterface receiving the at least one low-level packet and forwarding theat least one low-level packet to the packet regenerator, the packetregenerator generating an original host packets and discards aregenerated host packet when it is determined that a same copy of thehost packet is received before.
 14. The method of claim 13, furthercomprising: associating, by the adaptive communication device, asequence number with the each low-level packet; duplicating, by theadaptive communication device, one or more copies for the each low-levelpacket with each copy having a same sequence number; and selecting, bythe adaptive communication device, plural communication channels thatbest satisfy packet service requirement for transmitting each copy ofthe one or more copies for the each low-level packet and the sequencenumber.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising: determining, bythe adaptive communication device that has a first communication channelthat supports higher data transmission rate and a second communicationchannel that supports robust data transmission with lower packet errorrates, an optimum parameter set for low-level packet generation.
 16. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising: providing the adaptivecommunication device with multiple network interfaces that include afirst network interface and a second network interface; transmitting,with the first network interface of the multiple network interfaces,low-level packets generated by the adaptive communication device to asecond device over a communication channel; switching, with the secondnetwork interface of the multiple network interfaces that is differentfrom the first network interface and in accordance with channelconditions, to another communication channel for transmission of thelow-level packets; and transmitting, with the first network interfaceand the second network interface, the low-level packets over the anothercommunication channel after switching.
 17. An adaptive coding methodexecuted by an electronic system that executes video streaming withimproved reliability, comprising: encoding, by a base-layer encoder inthe electronic system, video data received from a video source to obtainreconstructed base-layer data; encoding, by an enhancement-layer encoderin the electronic system, the video data to obtain reconstructedenhancement-layer data; determining, by the electronic system and whenreconstructing a reference frame, whether to use the reconstructedenhancement-layer data to combine with the reconstructed base-layerdata; decoding, by a base-layer decoder in the electronic system,base-layer video bitstreams to obtain decoded base-layer data; decoding,by an enhancement-layer decoder in the electronic system,enhancement-layer video bitstreams to obtain decoded enhancement-layerdata; and determining, by the electronic system and in accordance with adecoding error flag and when generating a decoded frame, whether to usethe decoded enhancement-layer data to combine with the decodedbase-layer data.
 18. The adaptive coding method of claim 17, furthercomprising: receiving, by a decoder in the electronic system, plurallayers of video bitstreams that include base-layer video bitstreams andenhancement-layer video bitstreams, wherein the base-layer videobitstreams have higher priority for transmission compared with theenhancement-layer video bitstreams; decoding, by the decoder, thebase-layer video bitstreams to obtain decoded base-layer data; decoding,by the decoder, the enhancement-layer video bitstreams to obtain decodedenhancement-layer data; and improving reliability for video streaming bycombining, by the decoder and in accordance with decoding error bits,the decoded base-layer data and the decoded enhancement-layer data togenerate a decoded frame.
 19. A method that expedites execution of videostreaming with improved latency, the method comprising: improvinglatency for video streaming by synchronizing vertical synchronization(vsync) timing of a video output interface with that of a video inputinterface via exchange of vsync packets between a video sender and avideo receiver when transmitting video data from the video sender to thevideo receiver, wherein the video receiver controls a timing of thevideo receiver by estimating a timing of the video sender in order tosynchronize with the video sender, thereby reducing latency andimproving performance for video streaming.
 20. The method of claim 19,further comprising: receiving, by the video receiver, an expected timeinterval between two successive vsync rising edges for vsync signals;initializing, by the video receiver, time of next vsync signal;checking, by the video receiver and at each clock cycle, whether a newvsync packet that carries updated video sender vsync time is received;and improving latency by updating, by the video receiver, the vsync timeof the video output interface.
 21. A method that expedites execution ofvideo streaming with improved error resilience, comprising: sending,from a video sender to a video receiver, plural layers of bitstreampackets that are generated from video data, wherein the video senderincludes an adaptive video encoder, the video receiver includes anadaptive video decoder; prioritizing, by the video sender, the plurallayers of bitstream such that a bitstream packet being a lower layer ofthe plural layers of bitstream packets has higher priority when beingtransmitted to the video receiver; and improving, by the video sender,error resilience for execution of video streaming by receiving from thevideo receiver an acknowledgement packet that is transmitted to thevideo sender to inform the video sender of reception status of thebitstream packet such that the video sender estimates error propagationobserved by the video receiver based on most updated acknowledgementinformation and reconstructs reference frames to eliminating discrepancybetween the reference frames of the adaptive video encoder of the videosender and decoded frames of the adaptive video decoder of the videoreceiver.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising: resending, bythe video sender and when detecting transmission errors from anacknowledgement packet, bitstream packets of the plural layers ofbitstream packets to the video receiver, wherein lower layer packetshave higher priority of transmission; discarding, by the video senderand when a bitstream packet determined as being outdated, the bitstreampacket; and discarding, by the video sender and when a bitstream packetis positively acknowledged, the bitstream packet.
 23. The method ofclaim 21, further comprising: storing the plural layers of bitstreampackets into one or more packet buffers of the video sender to obtainbuffered bitstream packets; grouping the buffered bitstream packets intoplural queues such that a buffered bitstream packet of a same layer isput in a same queue; assigning a display deadline for each bufferedbitstream packet; scanning from a queue associated with lowest layer ofbitstream packets to a queue associated with highest layer of bitstreampackets; determining a first queue that has at least one eligiblebuffered bitstream packet; and selecting from the first queue aneligible buffered bitstream packet with earliest transmission deadlinefor transmission.
 24. The method of claim 21, further comprising:applying, by the video sender, more robust modulation scheme to lowerlayer of the plural layers of bitstream packets; applying, by the videosender, longer forward error correction code to the lower layer of theplural layers of bitstream packets; selecting, by the video sender,shorter packet length for the lower layer of the plural layers ofbitstream packets; and assigning, by the video sender, a quality ofservice tag to the lower layer of the plural layers of bitstream packetssuch that the lower layer gets better network service.